What is a volvulus hiatal hernia?
The gastric volvulus is defined as an abnormal rotation of all or part of the stomach around one of its axes, creating the conditions of an upper abdominal obstruction with gastric dilation and risk of strangulation.
Can a hernia cause volvulus?
While our patient’s prior imaging studies showed only a hiatal hernia, most cases of volvulus are associated with this condition. While rare, gastric volvulus should be considered in patients with a history of hiatal hernia or other diaphragmatic defects that present with or develop acute abdominal symptoms.
How serious is gastric volvulus?
The nonoperative mortality for gastric volvulus is reportedly as high as 80%. Historically, mortality figures in the range of 30-50% have been reported for acute gastric volvulus, with the major cause of death being strangulation, which can lead to necrosis and perforation.
What causes stomach volvulus?
Gastric volvulus can occur from primary or secondary causes. Primary gastric volvulus is thought to be due to laxity of the gastric ligaments. Secondary disease may occur due to a paraesophageal hernia or other diaphragmatic hernia.
How is gastric volvulus treated?
With chronic gastric volvulus, surgery is performed to prevent complications. The principles associated with the treatment of gastric volvulus include decompression, reduction, and prevention of recurrence, which are best accomplished with surgical therapy.
What happens if your stomach flips?
Gastric volvulus or volvulus of stomach is a twisting of all or part of the stomach by more than 180 degrees with obstruction of the flow of material through the stomach, variable loss of blood supply and possible tissue death.
What are the symptoms of a gastric volvulus?
Classic symptoms of acute gastric volvulus are known as Borchardt’s triad [6], which consists of severe epigastric pain and distension, vomiting followed by violent nonproductive retching, and difficulty or inability to pass a nasogastric tube.
Can a hiatal hernia get twisted?
But if the hernia is a bit larger, it could force the opening in your diaphragm to become larger, too. At that point, the entire stomach and other organs are in danger of sliding up into your chest. A hiatal hernia can also put undue pressure on your stomach, by squeezing or twisting it.
How do you fix volvulus?
A volvulus needs prompt treatment and usually requires surgery. During surgery to correct a volvulus, a doctor will make a small incision in the abdominal wall near the site of the twisted part of the intestine and untwist it. Afterward, the doctor will restore blood flow to the areas affected by the volvulus.
How do you know when your hiatal hernia is getting worse?
Symptoms of a hiatal hernia heartburn that gets worse when you lean over or lie down. acid reflux or GERD. chest pain or epigastric pain. trouble swallowing.
What does a twisted gut feel like?
Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include: Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes. Loss of appetite. Constipation.